Word
mosque
US/ˈmɑsk/
UK/mˈɒsk/
Definition
n. a building where Muslims go to pray and worship God. It often has a tall tower and a large dome on top.
n. a place of public worship for Muslims. Typically characterised by a prayer hall, a mihrab indicating the direction of Mecca, and often one or more minarets.
Examples
“The local mosque is open to everyone for daily prayers.”
“The community gathered at the mosque on Friday afternoon for the weekly sermon and communal prayer.”
“The architectural design of the mosque incorporates intricate geometric patterns and calligraphy, reflecting a rich heritage of Islamic art that avoids the use of human figures.”
Examples
simple
“The local mosque is open to everyone for daily prayers.”
contextual
“The community gathered at the mosque on Friday afternoon for the weekly sermon and communal prayer.”
complex
“The architectural design of the mosque incorporates intricate geometric patterns and calligraphy, reflecting a rich heritage of Islamic art that avoids the use of human figures.”
Usage
Often used with the definite article when referring to a specific local institution.
Real-World Examples
“Police say three villages and a mosque were attacked, and worshippers kidnapped in central Niger State.” “The next day, he told the British detectives, the men had shown up at his local mosque in San Diego saying they needed a place to live.” Etymology
From Middle French mosquée, from Italian moschea, ultimately from Arabic مَسْجِد (masjid, literally “place of prostration”). Doublet of masjid.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/mosque